Collingwood surprised by IPL snub

Sunday 9 January 2011 08:12 BST

Graeme Swann

Paul Collingwood described Graeme Swann and James Anderson's Indian Premier League snub as a surprise, but believes the duo's limited availability was the reason they were not sold in Saturday's auction.

Swann and Anderson have established themselves as two of the world's premier bowlers but they were overlooked at their base price of 400,000 US dollars to deny them an IPL pay-day.

"I don't think it's an uncertainty. The players have to be back to prepare for the Test match at the end of May so that will have affected the bids," he said.

"They are world-class bowlers and would have done fantastically well at the IPL. It is a surprise, but I think it's down to their availability."

Despite that Test regular Stuart Broad was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab for 400,000 US dollars while Eoin Morgan , the man most likely to replace the retired Collingwood for the Test against Sri Lanka, was bought for 350,000 US dollars by the Kolkota Knight Riders.

Collingwood, who was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for 250,000 US dollars, called for an IPL window to allow all players the chance to claim some of the IPL riches and play in the tournament.

"Ideally that would be fantastic so that all the players could be involved 100% on a level playing field," he added.

"That's not going happen probably in the next few years because of the schedules that are coming up.

"It's great that there are more English players in the auction this time even if it hasn't worked out hugely for them."